There has been much speculation that the arrival of the 25-year-old Japan international could have acted as the catalyst for the big-money sale of German forward Marco Reus and, considering the press attention his contractual situation received throughout the summer, combined with the revelation that Arsenal attempted a £40 million+ bid for the attacker on transfer deadline day - that notion appears to have credence.

Borussia Dortmund chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke has responded to these reports by issuing a clear statement - the two BvB favourites can play together, at the Westfalenstadion.

Sport-BILD imply that Watzke is unconvinced that Reus will leave the Bundesliga side for €25 million next summer as "Marco and Shinji can play perfectly together," he asserted recently.

"We have a great mix of dynamism, security [in the way we play] football and experience.